In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Gavin Zaprzala-Banks, Head of Client Consulting at Foster Denovo, about leading through the acquisition of Punter Southall Aspire and managing one of the smoothest transitions the business has seen.

Gavin shares his experience of joining Foster Denovo through acquisition - from client communications and adviser alignment to building a shared culture that works. He offers honest insight into what helped, what surprised him and what others in the industry can learn from it.

“It wasn’t about choosing one culture over the other. It was about building something new.”

🎧 In this episode:

· What happens when your firm is acquired

· How to manage culture, teams and systems during a transition

· Building trust with clients through clarity and consistency

· Why open communication makes or breaks an integration

· Lessons for other firms wanting to join Foster Denovo

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Gracie McAuliffe, Client Relationship Manager at Foster Denovo, about her career journey, the challenges she has faced, and what it means to grow professionally in a business that supports your ambitions.

Gracie joined Foster Denovo four years ago and has developed her role from the ground up. She speaks openly about what the last year has meant for her both personally and professionally, and why it has been the most rewarding period of her career so far.

From choosing not to pursue the traditional adviser route, to leaning into leadership and operational responsibility, Gracie’s story shows how diverse career paths in financial services can be.

🎧 In this episode:

• Starting out in financial services through an apprenticeship
• Making the transition to Foster Denovo and growing within the team
• Why hybrid working gives her the balance to thrive
• Taking on responsibility and becoming a go-to person for others
• Choosing a career path that reflects her strengths and interests

In this episode of Foster Denovo Talks, we speak with Ross Stevens, Financial Adviser at Foster Denovo, about what it means to take full ownership of your work.

Ross joined the firm during the pandemic, inheriting a client bank from three retiring Partners. It was a steep learning curve, but one that taught him how to lead with trust, build strong client relationships and develop his own rhythm.

He shares how he moved from a self-employed role to an employed one, and why that shift did not change the way he works. With the right culture and support, Ross explains, being employed still means working with freedom and purpose.

🎧 In this episode:

• What it was like joining Foster Denovo in lockdown
• Taking over client relationships with care and patience
• Moving from self-employed to employed, and what changed (or didn’t)
• Building a career that feels like your own business
• Advice for advisers facing the same kind of transition